Despite their best efforts — and the effort was there on Sunday by Payton Tolle and others — the Red Sox lost another series. This time to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox briefly rose to 4th place in the AL East before the Sox dropped the series, the Orioles won, and Boston returned to its seemingly permanent last place home. That series was supposed to be four games, but rain forced Saturday’s matinee — and a possible split — to July. Boston remains just 2.0 games out of a Wild Card and about a game out of third
place in the division. If they can just string a few wins together the entire feeling surrounding the season can flip. The dark clouds can be vanquished.
Chris Cotillo said the Red Sox may hope to get Willson Contreras back for the start of the series against the Phillies. Losing their first baseman would bring shades of 2025. And Contreras has been one of the few players to contribute on both sides of the ball so far this season. Roman Anthony might return at the end of the week when eligible. Ranger Suarez dodged a bullet with his own health issue. There are positives. The team just needs…wins.
While the Red Sox found Chadball after the firing of Alex Cora and a 7-6 record, the Phillies have benefitted even more from their shakeup: they’re 10-3 under Don Mattingly. This pushes the Phillies all the way to 19-22 (.463) vs. the Red Sox 17-23 record (.425) The Mets, the remaining big market flop, thankfully sit at 15-25 with their manager intact.
But if the Sox can sweep Detroit, can they handle Philly? They’ll miss ace Christopher Sáchez, thankfully. Bryce Harper, Kyle “from Waltham” Schwarber, and Brandon Marsh are leading the offense, while Trea Turner and some of the younger players struggle.
Zack Wheeler returned from thoracic outlet syndrome to pitch like he always has. A lucky break for the Phils to regain a second ace. His strikeouts are down a tick, his walks up a bit, but he’s made three starts on the season and allowed just 6 runs in 18 innings. He’ll face, likely, Brayan Bello and an opener. Bello was excellent against the Tigers tossing 7 innings while allowed just a single run in a 10-3 Boston win. He struck out 7 and walked 1. That’ll play against any lineup.
Top prospect Andrew Painter is now “struggling rookie Andrew Painter” and hopefully stays like that for one more start. A righthander and still just 23, Painter was rocked by the A’s last time out for 8 runs in 3.2 innings. Two starts earlier he gave up 5 runs n 5.2 against Atlanta. He’s struck out 30 in 32.2 innings while walking 12. Six homers haven’t helped either. Sonny Gray looked solid against the Tigers after a couple weeks on the IL. He didn’t’ allow a run in 5.0 innings and the bullpen was able to carry the victory across. Hopefully he’s able to add a sixth inning and give the ‘pen a little breathing room.
Jesús Luzardo has had some rough outings. He’s given up at least 5 runs in 4 of his 8 starts. In the other four he’s allowed 4 runs combined. Last time out against Colorado was a 6-run, 3.0 inning affair. But he handled the Giants, who like the Sox have struggled offensively, for 7.0 shutout innings at the end of April. We’ll see what the Sox lefties can do to him. Ranger Suárez, who left his last start on 5/3 with some hamstring trouble, avoids the IL to make a start with just a little extra rest. He’s been basically everything the Red Sox could have hoped. The WBC delayed his preparation a tad but then after his first two starts it’s just the blip with the Yankees who were, frankly, crushing everything. If he’s healthy and rolls out another 7-8 inning gem against his old team it’s possible the Sox win this series, though obviously he’d rather take the mound with visions of brooms.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Tuesday, May 12: Zack Wheeler (3.12 ERA / 2.83 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Wednesday, May 13: Andrew Painter (6.89 ERA / 4.86 FIP), vs. Sonny Gray (3.54 ERA / 4.29 FIP)
Thursday, May 14: Jesús Luzardo (5.98 ERA / 2.95 FIP) vs. Ranger Suárez (2.77 ERA / 3.24FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Tuesday, May 12: 6:45 PM on NESN
Wednesday, May 13: 6:45 PM ET on NESN
Thursday, May 14: 6:45 PM ET on NESN
